ROY KEANE is waiting for Sunderland to make the first move as the Black Cats look to tie their manager to a long-term deal.

Sunderland have already indicated that they want him to stay on, despite the fact he is not yet halfway through the three-year deal he signed when he took over last summer.

Keane’s lawyer Michael Kennedy has been in contact with the club about opening talks and the Keane camp have put the ball in Sunderland’s court by asking for an offer.

“The way that Michael works is that he waits for people to make an offer to him,” Keane said. “It’s like being a player – if a club wants you to sign a deal, they make you an offer.

“That’s as far as it has gone at present. I’m very comfortable with my situation. I’ve a very good contract which runs until the end of the season after this one so it isn’t on my mind.

“The club are keen to look at an extension, and Michael asked them to put an offer to us and at the moment we are waiting for that offer.

“I was never in this situation as a player because I used to always wait and see what happened, so this is all new to me. We’ve put it back to the board; the ball’s in their court.”

Keane is already committed until the summer of 2009 but understands why Sunderland are eager to extend that term. “If I’m bringing in young players for big money and they are signing four or five-year deals then, looking at it from the board’s point of view, I’m sure they will be looking for a bit more commitment from me,” he said. “I understand that 100 per cent. That’s only common sense.

“I know that over the next year or two, if I am to invest a lot in the team, then the club are going to want a sign of commitment over a longer timescale. I have been in the game long enough to appreciate that; I understand where they are coming from, that’s why we’ve asked them to make an offer.

“If they want me to stay longer and sign a new contract then we’ll have a look at it. I know that security until the end of next season might not be seen as much by a lot of people but I am relaxed about it.

“I don’t think anyone should be overly-concerned.”

Sunderland have backed Keane with more than #35 million in the transfer market this summer, and the former Manchester United star added: “Since I have come here, I have had great support from Niall and Peter (Walker, the club’s chief executive). I here a lot of stories about boardroom interference or a lack of backing at other clubs but that has never been an issue here.

“I made sure that that would be the case before I came to the club and there’s absolutely no problem.”